70camaro ls1→LSA swap

[Shotaro]

I drive a 1970 Camaro. It has an LS1 engine, an early T56, but I'm thinking of swapping it into an LSA. Will the transmission housing fit? Will it lose power? Also, I have a Batwing oil pan attached to the LS1. Will it fit the LSA? The subframe is probably Wayne Due's. I'm also worried that if I swap it into an LS1 or LSA, it will hit the hood. I'd also like to know what parts I need. Please let me know as much as you can.　　

I would really like to get the 6L90 I currently have, but the propeller shaft and the floor will likely need to be machined again, which would be a hassle.

Ultimately I want a Speedtech subframe.

[csouth]

Externally the motors are the same size, so if your T56 and LS1 fit now the transmission won't be a problem. The 6l90 on the other hand might require more tunnel clearance towards the rear than the T56. Also, due to the way the 2nd gen hood slopes, you may have an issue with the SC lid. You might have to use a Kong Performance lid or even a 2" cowl hood for clearance. Since you have an aftermarket subframe a factory lid might clear.

[Lonnies Performance]

The Batwing pan will fit the LSA.

The top of the supercharger lid is 9.5" (ZL1 style, where IC coolant connection is) above the top of the steam line fitting on the drivers side front cylinder head.
In front of this point, throttle body is much lower.

This company built one & it has a factory flat hood.
https://www.schwartzperformance.com/...nd-gen-camaro/

[Shotaro]

Externally the motors are the same size, so if your T56 and LS1 fit now the transmission won't be a problem. The 6l90 on the other hand might require more tunnel clearance towards the rear than the T56. Also, due to the way the 2nd gen hood slopes, you may have an issue with the SC lid. You might have to use a Kong Performance lid or even a 2" cowl hood for clearance. Since you have an aftermarket subframe a factory lid might clear.

Thank you. First, I would like to start with the engine. I may install a 6l90 in the future, so I am considering a Holley Terminator X MAX. Is this correct? - The engine has an oil cooler, but will I need one? - I am considering a Concept One for the front drive.

[Shotaro]

Externally the motors are the same size, so if your T56 and LS1 fit now the transmission won't be a problem. The 6l90 on the other hand might require more tunnel clearance towards the rear than the T56. Also, due to the way the 2nd gen hood slopes, you may have an issue with the SC lid. You might have to use a Kong Performance lid or even a 2" cowl hood for clearance. Since you have an aftermarket subframe a factory lid might clear.

Thank you. The oil pan has a good balance and fit with the current frame, so I would like to use it, but I am a bit worried about the amount of oil. I will also have to remove the oil cooler that comes standard with the LSA, but will that cause any problems? I have tried measuring the height of the hood, but it is difficult; measuring the LS1 and LSA is difficult.

[Vimes]

To measure the engines - get some very soft modeling clay and parchment paper. Put them on top of the highest point on the engine, paper then clay then paper, and very gently close the hood. Don't slam the hood because the modeling clay has to have time to crush, and can damage the hood or break the engine cover if the hood is slammed. You can do it without the paper but then you'll be cleaning clay off the engine and the underside of the hood. When you open the hood, the clay will have crushed down and its height is how much clearance you have. Both engines are the same up to the lifter valley, so you can measure from the lifter valley to the top of the intake/supercharger to see if you have enough clearance. You will have lifter valley to top of intake plus height of clay clearance for the supercharger, and I'd be shooting for at least 3cm of clearance, preferably 4cm.

On the oil cooler, I would run one on a supercharged engine. The oil has a much harder life under a supercharger than in an NA application. The oil cooler doesn't have to be the factory one, but it should be at least as large. A stacked plate cooler will be more efficient, and as long as it's in airflow it doesn't really matter where it's mounted.

The batwing pan is 6.5 quarts but you can run 7 quarts in one. This should be fine for a supercharged engine. Dodge runs between 6 and 7 quarts on their Hellcats. A larger oil cooler will also add capacity without needing a larger pan. Or, just change the oil a little more often.

[Hotwire]

To add upon the above post, you could also ball up aluminum foil and use it to check hood clearances.

Google LS1 dimensions or LSA dimensions, you'll get all the information you'd need to measure all the critical points you have.

Instead of going LSA, if your LS1 is still healthy, what about putting a procharger or magnuson supercharger on it?

[Shotaro]

I tried measuring it with the LS1 installed, but I couldn't get a good measurement.
However, I expect it would be difficult to install an LSA. I would probably need to purchase an ANVIL hood, but as a Japanese person, all of the parts on the current exchange are far too expensive for me.

[Vimes]

I tried measuring it with the LS1 installed, but I couldn't get a good measurement.

I did some checking, and near as I can tell you need 3 more inches for an LSA than an LS1. Do the tinfoil (and I'd do the tinfoil over the clay, I just didn't think of it first) on top of the engine at the spot where the engine comes closest to the hood. If the tinfoil crushes down to more than 3 inches in height, the LSA should fit with no problems.

However, I expect it would be difficult to install an LSA. I would probably need to purchase an ANVIL hood, but as a Japanese person, all of the parts on the current exchange are far too expensive for me.

Actually, the Japanese tuner crowd does some amazing things with fiberglass. You should be able to locate a local shop that makes one-off parts for the tuners and have one of them build a hood. They can use your existing hood as a template. The cost would be quite a bit less than having a US part shipped over.